stay in Provence

Where is the best place to stay and explore Provence? We will be there for a week in May and would like to find an apartment or similiar to base ourselves. My wife and twin 18 yo daughters would like to be centrally located to do day trips but want to be in an area not too big but still large enough to enjoy shopping and dining. Any feedback on this and where to find lodging is appreciated. We plan to rent a car while there.

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Hi again,

While I suspect theat Forum members will offer a wide range of suggestions regarding where to base yourselves in Provence for the week in May, I take this opportunity to suggest that you consider St. Remy. St Remy would be an excellent choice if you seek a vibrant but small-city Provencal atmosphere or, alternatively, if you would prefer a smaller town atmosphere, I urge you to look into the village of Maussane-les-Alpilles, located amongst the Alpilles - a gorgeous craggy range of limestone hills, only a 15 minute drive away.

Both are well situated for exploring all of Western Provence from Nyons and Vaison-la-Romaine to the North all the way South to the picturesque places along the shore of the Mediterranean such as Cassis, and, of course, the Camargue. Both also have a number of wonderful restaurants, really good shopping potential too. In addition, the Wednesday Market that occupies central St. Remy is awesome.

Hope this input is helpful

AlpillesGal

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Thank you again-- Is St. Remy large enough to keep daughters and wife occupied with shopping, cafes, and other things in enenings if we stay there? What are your thoughts on Arles?

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Any reason why you decided against L%26#39;Isle sur la Sorgue? It really is perfect.

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Avignon, aix en Provence and Nimes are nicely located as well.

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But they are bigger and less of a %26quot;personal%26quot; experience of being part of the village.

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lynnb48, It%26#39;s all relative !!! I come from New York City.

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Point taken!! Maybe all the more reason to go for a village experience. I think our nicest was in a tiny town called Vezzano Ligure above the Cinque Terre. Two shops, one bar, a hairdresser and this lovely hotel with a fantastic restaurant. One pizza place in town and one other restaurant. We were a novelty to the locals who treated us like royalty, asked us lots of questions, cleared tables for us to sit at the bar, made us little snacks to have with the drinks etc. What an experience.

But L%26#39;Isle was just perfect. Big enough to be interesting for a week and to have sufficient restaurants, very pretty, good shops and cafes, a pretty town with rushing water, two markets a week with a jazz band playing just outside our house, flowers everywhere, water wheels sigh...

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lynnb48, Maybe for you !! I think tcsunrunner will be able to make their own informeddecision based upon the information they receive and upon their own independent research.

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Absolutely true. We can only provide experiences and information. In the end it is their decision, which is all part of the fun of planning.

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Both St Remy and l%26#39;Isle are tourist hot spots, both are pleasant enough to visit (we do regularly) but because of their popularity I would not want to actually stay in either town (neither could be called a village).

Given a choice and the wish for somewhere %26quot;to enjoy shopping and dining%26quot; I might choose Avignon or Arles. But having to park and drive in each location on a daily basis would put me off slightly.They can easily be visited.

I do like AlpillesGal%26#39;s suggestion - the Alpilles is a lovely area often missed by visitors with some lovely little villages, bars and restaurants.

I would also suggest the village of Bedoin to the north of the region at the foot of Mont Ventoux. Lots of places to eat, near the Cotes du Rhone vineyards and a lot of good Gites to rent.

Have a day in Marseille - drive to the Old Port and follow signs for the underground car parking - very easy. Lots of good shops nearby and lunch in the old port itself.

Have fun planning.